Improvement in regulating the flow of gases in apparatus for diving



UNITED STATES PATENT FETE.

BENOIST ROUQUAYROL, .OF PARIS. FRANCE.,

IMPROVMENT IN REGULATING TH FLOW 0F GASES iN APPARATUS FOR DIVING.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 59,529, dated November 6. 1866.'

To all lwhom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, BENoIsT RoUQUAYRoL, of Paris, in the Empire ot' France, have invented certain new and ImprovedApparatus for Regulating the Flow ot' Gases and l. here by declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in whic Figure l is a side elevation of an appara 4us constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same, and Fig. 5 a similar section of a modified form of the apparatus. Figs. 3, 4, 6, 7, and S represent detach'ed parts of the apparatus. v

The apparatus I have invented is intended to regulate the dow of compressed gases, and to furnish to the diver or workman Who employs it respirable air under a pressure equal to that of the medium in which he is.

The construction and arrangement of this apparatus are very simple. as Will be seen by reference to the drawings.

A, Fig. 2, is a reservoir of any suitable form-'- as, for inst-ance, eylindrical-containing air compressed to a degree which may be the equivalent of forty atmospheres. This air,

supplied by the compeusating-compressors described in a previous patent granted to me, is introduced through one of the orifices a, herlnetieally closed byvscrew-stoppers.

Above the reservoir A is formed the airchamber B, which communicates with the said reservoir through an oritice provided with a valve, z', which is operated by a stem or rod, e, secured by nuts to the cover b of the chamber l B. "lhis cover, made of gutta-percba or other suitable flexible and elastic material, strengthcned or braced at its` center by a :voeden or metal disk, l', is secured around the upper part of the chamber B by a metal belt or band., l. A. gutta-percha tube, F, extends from this chamber to the monthof the diver, who carries on his back the apparatus just described.

From this arrangement of parts it results that ifthe exterior pressure exceeds that of the air inelosed in the chamber B the elastic cover l will be depressed, carrying with it in its movement the rod e, Which,-by opening the checlevalve i, will allow a certain quantity of ail-.from the reservoir A to pass into the chamber B. The Workman will thus be constantly supplied with air. which conies to him under a pressure equivalent to that of the medium in which he is.

rI he construction of the regulating-rod b and distributing-valve t is shown in detail in Figs. 3 and et. This arrangement of the apparatus produces a constant iiow of gases, suitieiently regular to enable the Workman to respire freely when Working under water or in a mephitic atmosphere; but the apparat-us may be so constructed aste meet all desirable conditions as regards regularity.

For this purpose two regulating-chambers, C and D, Fig. 5, ane placed ,on top ofthe airreservoir A, communicating with each other by means of a tube, w, or in any other suitable manner. These regulating-chambers are surrounded by a metal casin g, c, and their elastic covers are submitted to the constant pressure of two springs, d, placed over the tops Y of the chambers and Within the casing e. The

distributingvalves., regulating-rods, 85e., of'

The ordinary apparatus is held on-the backot the Workman by means oi' strap E, Fig. 1, suitably arranged. Its weight is very slight, and causes no fatigue to the one who carries it.

In the lower part of the air-chamber B are inserted two tubular pieces oi' tinned iron, f and g. The former receives the respiring-tube F, and the latter the valve of expiration G. The respiring-tube F is about one centimeter in diameter, and is made ot' gatta-perche. or other very flexible material. It is secured at one end on the-piece f, soldered to the airchamber ll, and the other end is inserted in the socket ot' the mouth-,closer H. This last is a simple plate of vulcanized rubber, molded and shaped as shown in Figs. 6 and 7,011 which plate are formed two projections, h 11byn1eans ot' which the workman is enabled to hold the mouth-closer in his teeth.

The valve ofexpiration G, Fi g.8, is composed of two very thin pieces of vulcanized rubber, whose sides (longitudinally) are cemented together. ln one end of the tube thus formed a stouter cylindricalpiece 'is inserted and cem ented, and then this cylindrical part is placed on the tubular piece g of the air-chamber-B.

This Valve-than which nothing could be more lsimpleopens to give passage to the air breathed out by the workman, but is effectually closed to the outside liquidor fluid by which it is surrounded.

It is evident that my invention can also be applied to ordinary cork jackets used for diving purposes.

Having thusl described my invention and the mann-er in which the same is or may-be carried into effect, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The apparatus or regulator substantially as herein described, t-he same bei ng; composed of a compressed-air reservoir surmountcd by an airchamber, the latter bein g provided with an elastic cover, in the center of which is placed a regulating-rod, which acts on the valve, separating the two chambers in such manner as to permit, the air from the reservoir lforth.

3. The construction of the mouth-closer and valve of expi ation, substantially as and for the purposes herein shown and set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my naine to this specification before two subscribing witnesses.

B. ROUQUAYROL.

Witnesses:

E. SHERMAN GOULD, MOBARE. 

